CAN HE DO IT AGAIN?

OLUFEMI ATOYEBI writes on the exploit of Super Eagles manager Stephen Keshi and the strength of the squad he is taking to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa

Super Eagles manager Stephen Keshi has a long history of club football, spanning 18 years in 11 different clubs.

On the international scene, he has scored a brilliant mark, attending five Africa Nations Cup competitions and leading Nigeria to the 1994 victory in Tunisia, his last with the team. He was also the first captain to lead Nigeria to the World Cup, achieved in 1994.

As a coach, the difficult terrain has not stopped him from making a mark. He surprisingly qualified Togo for the 2006 World Cup in Germany at a time when Nigeria failed to make the party, although he could not take the team beyond the group stage of the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt.

Eventually, he did not lead them to the World Cup. He also failed with the Mali experience in the 2010 Nations Cup.

But Keshi has been driven by objectivity and positive stance on issues concerning football and his vast experience in Nigerian football philosophy are factors that will come to the fore as he leads Nigeria again at the Nations Cup. But the great question is can he do it again? Will he lift the Nations Cup again? Will he have the singular honour of being the only Nigerian to lead the Super Eagles as captain and coach?

Nigerians have endured a long period of anxiety as the coach kept on using several players during the qualifiers for the championship.

On Wednesday, Keshi finally released the squad list for the Nations Cup, with many of the players making their debut at the Nations Cup. To his credit, Keshi kept his promise to give opportunity to the home-based players.

Vincent Enyeama

(Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel)

Since breaking into the national team during the 2002 World Cup, Enyeama has remained the first choice for the Eagles. He is attending his fourth finals of the Nations Cup, failing to lift any of the trophies but distinguishing himself in goal.

He was astounding in the 2010 World Cup where Nigeria had a poor outing in South Africa.

Austin Ejide

(Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel)

Former Gabros International goalkeeper Austin Ejide possesses great qualities but Enyeama’s form puts him in the shadows.

He joined Etoile Sportive du Sahel in 2002 and later moved to French division two side SC Bastia where he had 44 caps.

He also played for Hapoel Petah Tikva in Israel before joining the country’s top club Hapoel Be’er Sheva last year. In the absence of Enyeama, Ejide has performed brilliantly and the coach will have to stand firm before making a decision to leave him on the bench because of the competition he has given Enyeama. Like Enyeama, Ejide also has a rich Nations Cup experience.

Chigozie Agbim

(Rangers, Nigeria)

Agbim will be a replacement for the first two goalkeepers as he is just coming into the team. Keshi has prepared him well enough for the future role in Eagles goal, having captained the side in the absence of Joseph Yobo and Enyeama.

Elderson Echiejile

(FC Braga, Portugal)

Echiejile is a young defender who has seen it all. His excellent performance in Angola 2010 won him a place in the 2010 World Cup, where he played in two group matches.

With Braga in Portugal, the former Rennes defender has played in the European Champions League where he came up against top players in the world.

Juwon Oshaniwa

(Ashdod FC, Israel)

Juwon Oshaniwa played in the Nigerian league with Sharks until September 2012 before moving to Ashdod FC of Israel. The defender is one of the many young players in the team seeking their first Nations Cup experience in South Africa.

Having been included in the team his chances of regular football will depend on the form of Echiejile as both players play in the left back position.

He played for Nigeria in World Cup qualifying matches and played with Joseph Yobo at the back during the 2-2 draw against Liberia in Monrovia. His exposure by Keshi in the national team was responsible for his move abroad, a fact the player also acknowledges.

Joseph Yobo

(Fenerbahce, Turkey)

Yobo is the captain of the side and is attending record sixth Nations Cup finals for Nigeria. He is also the most capped player for Nigeria with 88 appearances.

With two World Cup appearances, Yobo comes into the team with lots of experience although his services to the team had in the past been cut short because of injuries. In the 2010 edition in Angola, he played two group matches and was ruled out of the competition after getting injured in the 1-0 win over Benin Republic.

Efe Ambrose

(Celtic, Scotland)

Celtic defender Efe Ambrose has played in the U-20 and the Olympics team for Nigeria and is looking forward to his first appearance in the Nations Cup.

The defender established himself in the Keshi team after a stunning performance for club in the Champions League especially against Barcelona during the group stage.

He was named by UEFA in the Team of the Week after the third round match. Ambrose is expected to be in South Africa and already, the player is looking forward to being a champion.

Azubuike Egwuekwe

(Warri Wolves, Nigeria)

Egwueke is one of the few home-based players that Keshi trusts. As Keshi has promised to give opportunity to worthy players from the Nigerian league, Egwuekwe is a beneficiary of the coach’s belief in the local league. His performance against Catalonia was not good enough but that was a lone exception since featuring for the national team under Keshi.

Kenneth Omeruo

(ADO Den Haag, Holland)

A defender on loan at Dutch club ADO Den Haag the ex-junior international will be making his Nations Cup debut in South Africa, Omeruo can play as central defender and at the right back.

Godfrey Oboabona

(Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

Oboabona plays in the home league but his feature as a defender is amazing. He is brave with daring quality that made Keshi give him a role as a central defender in the friendly match against Angola which was the player’s debut. He has since been impressive.

Mikel Obi

(Chelsea, England)

Mikel Obi comes into the team with lots of big stage experience. If he plays for Nigeria like he does for Chelsea in England, he will offer the team steel in the defensive midfield position, respect from rivals and a link between the experienced and fresh players.

He has not been with the team for long since Keshi arrived as coach but it is unlikely any coach will want to ignore a player of Obi’s quality.

Nosa Igiebor

(Real Betis, Spain)

The stunning goal against Venezuela during the friendly match in America is the magic moment when Igiebor’s skill came to light. It brought to the fore what the Eagles will gain having such a large-hearted heart in the team. It is not a surprise that Keshi has included him in the team. In September last year Keshi told the Spanish media that the player with fierce drive would be in his team to South Africa if Nigeria qualified.

He said, of course I’ll take him, but first we have to qualify for the finals,” said Keshi to estadiodeportivo.com.

Obiora Nwankwo

(Calcio Padova, Italy)

The future of the Super Eagles depends on players like Obiora Nwankwo, 21, who was a member of the 2009 U-20 squad.

The midfielder made his debut for the senior national team in May 2012, during a friendly match against Peru, which Nigeria lost by 1-0. After joining Inter of Italy in 2010, his first match was against Tottenham in the Champions League. He was loaned to Parma before being signed in a co-ownership deal on 24 June 2011. Now with Serie B side, Padova where he has a regular appearance, Nwankwo joins many of the Eagles players who will be playing at the Nations Cup for the first time.

Ogenyi Onazi

(SS Lazio, Italy)

Lazio midfielder Onazi was in the news in December when Tottenham considered a January move for the Nigerian youngster.

After establishing his name in the youth rank, Onazi got a chance to feature for the Eagles under Keshi during the match against Liberia which Nigeria won 6-1. His goal and performance against Venezuela two days after his debut might have influenced the Eagles handler to include him in the final list.

Fegor Ogude

(Valerenga, Norway)

Former Warri Wolves midfielder, Fegor Ogude, made his name in the Nigerian league before moving to Norway.

Gabriel Reuben

(Kano Pillars, Nigeria)

Reuben is one of the six players Keshi selected from the Nigeria Premier League.

He was named Player of the Year and the National Team Player of the Year at 2012 League Bloggers Awards in Lagos and had his debut in 2010 against D.R Congo. He scored against Malawi last year during a World Cup qualifier. His power-playing style and energy in the middle are features that Keshi has explored since taking over as Eagles coach.

Sunday Mba

(Rangers, Nigeria)

Mba is Uzoenyi’s teammate at club level and both have come to play important roles in the Eagles team B. After making his debut against Angola in a friendly match in 2012, he scored twice in the next game as Nigeria walloped Liberia in the final match of the Nations Cup qualifier.

Ahmed Musa

(CSKA Moscow, Rissia)

Ahmed Musa needs no introduction as he has risen to become an influential member of the Super Eagles, using his dribbling run and pace as bait for the Eagles coaches.

He plays from the right side of the midfield and is comfortable switching to the middle of the attack. Often, he has led the Eagles attack and contributed goals to the team’s success.

Brown Ideye

(Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine)

At last, the former Ocean Boys striker can fulfill his dream of playing in a big competition for Nigeria. In Europe, he has been excellent for clubs in France and now Ukraine. After being ignored by former coach Samson Siasia even when he was regularly scoring for Sochaux, it is difficult for Keshi to overlook Nigeria’s most established striker in Europe. Ideye has scored 25 goals in 44 appearances for his current club, which he joined in 2011.

Victor Moses

(Chelsea, England)

Being able to convince Victor Moses to play for Nigeria is a rare achievement for Nigeria, having lost great players to other countries in the past. At the height of his game, Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor opted for England and Carlton Cole was called up to play for Nigeria at 24 when he was ineligible, having played for England U-21, three years earlier.

But Moses is at the top of his game and his inclusion in the Nations Cup squad will add glamour and fluency to the team’s attack.

Emmanuel Emenike

(Spartak Moscow, Russia)

Saprtak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike has the intimidating build of a deadly striker but he is yet to put it to maximum use for Nigeria. Against the Cape Verde on Wednesday, he failed to connect with the team, as it also happened against Catalonia in the earlier friendly. He has a huge work rate but he needs to settle down quickly in the team to have a chance of a regular appearance in South Africa.

Ejike Uzoenyi

(Rangers, Nigeria)

Uzoenyi is a home-based striker with Rangers of Enugu. His contribution to the club brought them closers to winning the Premier League last season before a controversial decision by the Nigeria Football Federation and the Nigeria Premier League pushed them off the favourite spot. But Uzoenyi is a positive addition to the Eagles since starring for the home-based team tutored by Daniel Amokachi in the WAFU Nations Cup, 2010.

Ikechukwu Uche

(Villarreal, Spain)

Like Obi, Yobo and Enyeama, Uche will add experience to the team, having played in the Nations Cup and World Cup. He is an efficient striker and his inclusion is not a surprise. It will be a disaster to ignore his quality after losing Osaze Odemwingie.

I wish Keshi and the Team well. Put in your best for our fatherland, Nigeria. God bless you

frankUk

All they need is focus and determination, then believe , lucky to them.

Aare

All I can wish Keshi and his Team is best of luck He has made a brillant selection

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Chidi

Well researched and excellent article by Femi. When people like Onigbinde criticise Keshi for playing draw with Cape Verde in a friendly, I just shudder at Nigerian’s self conceit and belief that only they know it all. All other opinions, strategies and tactics are inferior.

And by the way, Cape Verde Islands beat Cameroon to reach AFCON – the highest-ranked team in Group A, above South Africa, Morocco and Angola. They are ranked 15th in Africa, Morocco 17, Angola 21, and South Africa 23. They beat Cameroon to make it to AFCON.

They are “minnows” only in the imagination of some insatiable self-deluded people, perhaps for the single reason that their population is only half a million people. I wonder why the same was not said of Catalonia, knowing that both have Spanish and Portuguese roots where some of the world’s best football is played.

So Keshi should be praised for the 0-0 draw in a warm-up match where his main concern is not winning by Nigerians’ typical wide margin expectation but testing his players in positions and tactics.

Chidi

Well researched and excellent article by Femi. When people like Onigbinde criticise Keshi for playing draw with Cape Verde in a friendly, I just shudder at Nigerian’s self conceit and belief that only they know it all. All other opinions, strategies and tactics are inferior.

And by the way, Cape Verde Islands beat Cameroon to reach AFCON – and were the highest-ranked team in Group A, above South Africa, Morocco and Angola. They are ranked 15th in Africa, Morocco 17, Angola 21, and South Africa 23. Meanwhile we all remember how all the teams in Group A had frustrated Nigeria in the past – whether in the World Cup or AFCON or even Club football.

They are “minnows” only in the imagination of some insatiable self-deluded people, perhaps for the single reason that their population is only half a million people. I wonder why the same was not said of Catalonia, knowing that both have Spanish and Portuguese roots where some of the world’s best football is played.

So Keshi should be praised for the 0-0 draw in a warm-up match where his main concern is not winning by Nigerians’ typical wide margin expectation but testing his players in positions and tactics.

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Uba owo

Yes He Can with God’s grace.

blue

good luck guys

lee

thanks you Keshi! ………for the young stars, this what we need for future of Nigeria team . good luck guys

Libato

This AFCON Trophy,is for Nigeria. Carry go Keshi.

Yerima ifeanyi tunde

I wish this ibo team goodluck and Keshi happy mafian

Owoponle Moruf

Keshi Need to let those boys know that is fully in charge. So he should not be sentimental.

I wish keshi and his team good luck. Hope they make us proud and bring back the AFCON cup.
AROH UCHE NICOLE
CALEB UNIVERSITY

SUNDAY EKANEM

Is it only the igbos that knows how to play football now in Nigeria ????? have you not heard of Kufre Brown ??? he is in Ghana playing . Anyway i wish Keshi and the igbo teem goodluck , but i dont see this teem lifting the cup. sooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrry 9ja.